On March 13, 1855, Percival Lowell, the American astronomer who helped discover Pluto and believed that there was life on Mars, was born. Following his death on Nov. 12, 1916, his obituary appeared in The Times.

On This Date

"Uncle Sam" made his debut as a cartoon character in the New York Lantern.

1868

The impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson began in the U.S. Senate.

1884

Standard Time was adopted throughout the United States.

1901

Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States, died in Indianaoplis at age 67.

1933

Banks began to re-open after a holiday declared by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1938

Defense attorney Clarence S. Darrow died at age 80.

1964

Kitty Genovese, 28, was stabbed to death near her Queens, New York, home. The case came to be a symbol of urban apathy, though initial reports that 38 neighbors ignored Genovese's calls for help have been disputed.

1969

Apollo 9 returned to Earth after a mission to test the lunar module.

1996

A gunman opened fire on a class of kindergarteners at an elementary school in Dunblane, Scotland, killing 16 children and one teacher before killing himself.